Kaizer Chiefs fans encapsulating the passion of a Soweto Derby. Image: BackpagePix
Chiefs confirm Soweto derby is SOLD OUT
A sold-out FNB Stadium will greet Pirates and Chiefs in the first Soweto Derby with supporters in attendance since February 2020.
Kaizer Chiefs fans encapsulating the passion of a Soweto Derby. Image: BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will lock horns in an official match for the 176th time since 1970 when the two rivals meet in the DStv Premiership on Saturday at FNB Stadium.
The game that so often divides the country (and families of local football lovers) will be the first Soweto Derby with supporters in attendance since February 2020. That game ended 1-0 in favour of Chiefs, courtesy of a Lebogang Manyama goal.
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During lockdown the teams met six times – four times in the league and twice in the MTN8 semi-finals.
Chiefs lost the cup matches but won three of the four league games, extending their head-to-head wins to 72 versus Pirates’ 44 victories.
Last season, Chiefs won both league matches by a 2-1 scoreline. In the first round, Keagan Dolly scored both Chiefs’ goals and in the second round, Reeve Frosler and Mulomowandau Mathoho were on the scoresheet for Amakhosi.
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Both coaches will be leading their respective teams for the first time in this huge game, although Arthur Zwane has experienced the Soweto Derby on many occasions as a player, as well as from the dugout, as assistant coach for the Glamour Boys in the past two seasons.
Chiefs have confirmed that the Soweto Derby – which will be broadcast live on DStv’s PSL Channel 202 and SABC 1 – is sold out. Kick-off is at 15:30 at FNB Stadium in Nasrec.
CHIEFS COULD BE WITHOUT KEY PLAYERS FOR THE PIRATES GAME
Amakhosi could still be without Itumeleng Khune this week. The veteran keeper was set to start in his return against TS Galaxy last Wednesday, but he then felt pain in his knee while warming up, leading to his removal from the starting XI.
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Khune was replaced at the last minute by Bruce Bvuma against Galaxy, and he also wasn’t available for the crucial MTN8 encounter.
Meanwhile, this past weekend, Zwane opted to include Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana in the starting lineup, although the striker had been under an injury cloud in the build-up to the game.
It was clear that Chiefs were desperate to have the towering presence of Bimenyimana against AmaZulu, but it ultimately didn’t have the desired effect as Amakhosi failed to score or offer any real threats in front of goal. There is now renewed doubt over Bimenyimana’s availability for the Soweto derby.
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